Welcome to Greatmore Artists' Studios
Twelve artists studios, an event space, a social courtyard space, a digital arts facility, an office, kitchen and forecourt are housed at 47 & 49 Greatmore Street, Woodstock, in Cape Town. We also have a four-bed-roomed house in Observatory for accommodation of out of town visitors. This is essential to accommodating visiting artists as they immediately become part of the Cape Town community. Greatmore Studios Trust runs a Resident Artist Program and a Visiting Artists Programme.
Mission Statement
Greatmore Artists’ Studios is committed to the the ethos of teaching/learning by example; this from the Sotho word Thupelo. This ethos is carried through all aspects of the projects and programs. The interaction and exchange between practising artists, art administrators, visiting artists and workshop programs remains core to this long established vibrant organisation.
Objectives of Greatmore Artists’ Studios Trust
To provide a studio environment and training in which artists can work freely and develop their creative abilities and professional skills and which provides the opportunity to build a professional practice in order to establish a career.
To provide a supportive environment for the exchange of ideas and skills to self-motivated practicing artists. Artists from various communities and cultures are encouraged to grow their practice in a personal studio space and also to contribute to the collective projects and programs and the industry as a whole.
Brief History
Greatmore Studios was established in 1998 in the heart of Woodstock, one of Cape Town’s most diverse and vibrant neibourhoods. It’s history, however, goes further back. In 1982, The Triangle Arts Trust held its first international artists workshop in New York City. This was initiated by Anthony Caro and Robert Loder.
The trust is a UK-based organisation that initiates and facilitates an international network of artist-led workshops and residencies. Association with the Triangle Network affords artists access to information and opportunities with artists, organisations, projects and gallaries in Africa and abroad.
Robert Loder and David Koloane bought the workshop model to Johannesburg and, with the support of Bill Ainslie and the Johannesburg Art Foundation, started the Thupelo workshops in the early 1980’s. The Bag Factory in Johannesburg, a sister organisation to Greatmore Street Studios, was set up in 1991.
Greatmore street studios was initiated by Isky Gordon and sam nhlengethwa. The board of thupelo Cape Town workshop project (Lionel Davis, Velile Soha, Garth Erasmus and Jill Trappler) took on the studio project with assistance from Isky Gordon and Robert loder.
Calendar, Call-outs and Updates
“Herself” Exhibition 14th September – 19th September
Video of Greatmore Artists' Studios
